Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has decided to approach the Telangana High Court to challenge the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) Ombudsman’s order directing the removal of his name from the North Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The decision, passed by Justice (Retd) V Eswaraiah — who also serves as HCA’s Ethics Officer — was based on a petition filed by Lords Cricket Club, a member unit of the HCA. The petition alleged Azharuddin, during his tenure as HCA president, misused his position by pushing for the stand to be named after him in December 2019, without proper General Body ratification.
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“I will definitely take legal recourse and will be appealing to the High Court to stay this order. It is a shame that an India captain’s name is being asked to be removed,” Azharuddin told PTI, adding that the ombudsman’s tenure ended in February 2025 and any order passed beyond that date is invalid.
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“He hasn’t got an extension, which can only be granted during an AGM, which hasn’t even taken place,” he asserted.
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Azharuddin, who served as HCA president from 2019 to 2023, alleged that the current administration is targeting him for not allowing corrupt practices during his term. “Crooks, who’ve never held a bat in their lives, are pointing fingers at me,” he fumed.
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He further dismissed allegations that he removed VVS Laxman’s name from the stand. “Laxman’s name is still on the pavilion. Go and check,” he said.
Azharuddin also took aim at current HCA president Jagan Mohan Rao, accusing the administration of disrespecting players and mismanaging affairs. “I will not take these insults lying down,” he warned.
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